Who is writing?
--Patrick Henry wrote this document on March 23rd, 1775
Give me Liberty of Give me Death
Who is the audience?
--The audience of this document are all the colonists in America, the document is also for "Mr. President".
Who do the writers represent?
--Patrick Henry is representing himself, as well as all the other colonists in America.
What is being said, argued, or requested?
--In this document Patrick Henry talks about how important it is for to win back their liberty from Britain. Henry says, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace- but there is no peace. The war has actually begun!". In this statement Henry is saying that there is no more of the colonists trying to be civil and keep their mouths shut, they will stand up for themselves and fight for their liberty and rights.
How is it being said, argued, or requested?
--This document had been the most demanding we have read yet, Henry is very serious and very passionate about this topic. He knows what he wants, and he knows how to get it.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
--Henry uses experience as a way to justify his request, he states, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience". He also talks about how the British government has ignored the all of the colonists petitions and done nothing to compromise with them.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Synthesize of the quote, video and primary documents
---It has become very common today for people to believe that when the British colonists left Britain they were leaving to become a nation far from what the British were. The fact of the matter really is though, the colonists who left wanted nothing of the such. When they went to America they all still considered themselves British. It was a long time after they left, when they started calling themselves Americans. Although no one has ever said directly, I have come to the impression that the British Government were so upset that their people were migrating else were they had to do something to try to stay in control. See, the British Government still had all the power over the people left in Britain, but what about the ones who were thousands of miles away. Almost everything having to do with governing back then was all about power, everyone wanted to the richest, and most powerful people of the world.
---The resolutions of the Continental Congress was a letter written by colonists who lived in America, and still considered themselves British but had English rights. In the letter they talk about their rights and liberties, they mention several times that they should have the same rights as all the other British subjects do. In the same letter the colonists are also saying that no one, (including the British Parliament) can put taxes on them unless they give consent to do so, or their representative gives consent. In the letter the colonists state, "That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great-Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous". The British government is taxing the colonists in America so much, they already can't afford it and then they add more taxes on top of that without any notice or agreement with the colonists. They are basically saying in that statement that the people of the colonies can't be happy, succeed and grow, if the British Government keeps taxing them more and more, but don't treat them any better.
---The circular letter of the Boston Committee was a letter send out from colonists after receiving the copy of an Act of the British Parliament. In this letter they talk about how Great Britain was mistreating Boston, and how Britain was shutting down harbors, so they couldn't do any trade. The colonists in Boston decided that they would sacrifice their own well being and not rely on trade, that way Great Britain couldn't make any profit off of them. The New York committee decided it was of the up most importance to appoint a committee at this time of emergency. They also reassured everyone that they are in full agreement with their liberty and American Freedom. By focusing on the British taxing the colonists unfairly, it overlooks the deeper problem of why the Revolution started. Some say it was the colonists living in America, some say it was the British Government, I believe it was the British Government. The colonists never had any intentions of detaching themselves from Britain. The British Government on the other hand, just keep antagonizing the colonists, making if literally impossible for them to unite as one.
---Something that really stood out for me when I watched a video in History class about the stamp act, was a quote said by a man who was representing the colonists living in America back in in 1700's. He said, "Power to tax is the power to destroy", this statement is very strong and realistic. He is using this as an example of the British Government taxing the colonists, because in the end all they are really doing is destroying the colonists. Another quote that really stood out in this video was "Love your Liberty, and fight for it", which was exactly what the colonists did. They loved and admired Great Britain, and still wanted to be a part of it so bad, but when they started being mistreated they knew better. They didn't back down, which I respect them for, they stood up for themselves and put up a fight.
---All three documents, the quote from J. Adams, and the Video we watched in class all lead to one big event, which was the separation between the colonists who went to America, and the people who stayed in Great Britain. From where I stand the British Government started it all with the stamp act. The Colonists were not happy to hear that they were going to be getting taxed on even more things, and they had no say on it. Even though the colonists living in America were still being protected by the government, it was unfair taxation on the governments part. Which finally lead to the American Revolution, it all could have been avoided if only the government hadn't been so power hungry, and treated the colonists as their own people.
---The resolutions of the Continental Congress was a letter written by colonists who lived in America, and still considered themselves British but had English rights. In the letter they talk about their rights and liberties, they mention several times that they should have the same rights as all the other British subjects do. In the same letter the colonists are also saying that no one, (including the British Parliament) can put taxes on them unless they give consent to do so, or their representative gives consent. In the letter the colonists state, "That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great-Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous". The British government is taxing the colonists in America so much, they already can't afford it and then they add more taxes on top of that without any notice or agreement with the colonists. They are basically saying in that statement that the people of the colonies can't be happy, succeed and grow, if the British Government keeps taxing them more and more, but don't treat them any better.
---The circular letter of the Boston Committee was a letter send out from colonists after receiving the copy of an Act of the British Parliament. In this letter they talk about how Great Britain was mistreating Boston, and how Britain was shutting down harbors, so they couldn't do any trade. The colonists in Boston decided that they would sacrifice their own well being and not rely on trade, that way Great Britain couldn't make any profit off of them. The New York committee decided it was of the up most importance to appoint a committee at this time of emergency. They also reassured everyone that they are in full agreement with their liberty and American Freedom. By focusing on the British taxing the colonists unfairly, it overlooks the deeper problem of why the Revolution started. Some say it was the colonists living in America, some say it was the British Government, I believe it was the British Government. The colonists never had any intentions of detaching themselves from Britain. The British Government on the other hand, just keep antagonizing the colonists, making if literally impossible for them to unite as one.
---Something that really stood out for me when I watched a video in History class about the stamp act, was a quote said by a man who was representing the colonists living in America back in in 1700's. He said, "Power to tax is the power to destroy", this statement is very strong and realistic. He is using this as an example of the British Government taxing the colonists, because in the end all they are really doing is destroying the colonists. Another quote that really stood out in this video was "Love your Liberty, and fight for it", which was exactly what the colonists did. They loved and admired Great Britain, and still wanted to be a part of it so bad, but when they started being mistreated they knew better. They didn't back down, which I respect them for, they stood up for themselves and put up a fight.
---All three documents, the quote from J. Adams, and the Video we watched in class all lead to one big event, which was the separation between the colonists who went to America, and the people who stayed in Great Britain. From where I stand the British Government started it all with the stamp act. The Colonists were not happy to hear that they were going to be getting taxed on even more things, and they had no say on it. Even though the colonists living in America were still being protected by the government, it was unfair taxation on the governments part. Which finally lead to the American Revolution, it all could have been avoided if only the government hadn't been so power hungry, and treated the colonists as their own people.
Notes on Primary Documents
The resolutions of the Continental Congress talks about the rights and liberties of the colonists. The colonists are saying that no one can put taxes on them unless they give consent to do so, or their representative gives consent. They are also saying that they have the same rights as the British do. The circular letter of the Boston Committee was a letter send out from colonists after receiving the copy of an Act of the British Parliament. In this letter they talk about how Great Britain was mistreating Boston, how Britain was shutting down harbors, so they cant do any trade. The colonists in Boston decided they will sacrifice their own well being and not rely on trade, that way Great Britain can't get a reaction out of them. The letter from the Now York Committee was a follow up letter to the Boston Committee. The New York committee decided it was of the up most importance to appoint a committee at this time of emergency. They also reassured everyone that they are in full agreement with their liberty and American Freedom.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Essay #1 Reflection
---When I started writing this first essay I was using my original writing process. As I got more detailed with my paper, I found myself all wrapped up in quotes and templates, I lost site of how I felt about the topic. Learning this different writing technique was a difficult process, but I know it was worth it and I can use this technique on future writing assignments.
---If I could go back and fix a mistake I made in this writing process, I would definitely take more time on choosing my thesis. I felt so rushed to choose a topic I ended up with a thesis that held back a lot of information I found interesting. When I started writing I never realized I could have changed my thesis, looking back on it now I think if I would have known I would have done just that.
---What I learned from this writing process is that when your writing about history you need a lot of resources. Many different historians have different perspectives on historical events and it is important to be open minded and take in all of the different point of views. Then, it is just as important to be able to put down your own words on paper with your own opinion and views of the topic or event.
---If I could go back and fix a mistake I made in this writing process, I would definitely take more time on choosing my thesis. I felt so rushed to choose a topic I ended up with a thesis that held back a lot of information I found interesting. When I started writing I never realized I could have changed my thesis, looking back on it now I think if I would have known I would have done just that.
---What I learned from this writing process is that when your writing about history you need a lot of resources. Many different historians have different perspectives on historical events and it is important to be open minded and take in all of the different point of views. Then, it is just as important to be able to put down your own words on paper with your own opinion and views of the topic or event.
Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act
Who is writing?
-- Patrick Henry is writing this document
Who is the audience?
-- The audience of this document are the people of England
Who do the writers represent?
-- The writers represent The House of Burgessess of Virginia
What is being said, argued, or requested?
-- The Virginia Resolves was a stamp act which was passed to tax on newspaper, pamphlets, broadsides, and all kinds of legal documents. No one except the General Assembly had any power to levy taxes, and anyone who tried to is than an enemy to English.
How is it being said, argued, or requested?
-- This document is being said very informative. It gives different examples of what the "Virginia Resolves" was referred to as. Inside the document the laws of the Virginia Resolve are also being said informative, in my opinion they are being more enforced then being said.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
--Henry uses text of Virginia Resolves from Morison, he also talks about different versions that were published widely in newspaper. Other proof being used is who the writer is representing, the house of burgessess.
-- Patrick Henry is writing this document
Who is the audience?
-- The audience of this document are the people of England
Who do the writers represent?
-- The writers represent The House of Burgessess of Virginia
What is being said, argued, or requested?
-- The Virginia Resolves was a stamp act which was passed to tax on newspaper, pamphlets, broadsides, and all kinds of legal documents. No one except the General Assembly had any power to levy taxes, and anyone who tried to is than an enemy to English.
How is it being said, argued, or requested?
-- This document is being said very informative. It gives different examples of what the "Virginia Resolves" was referred to as. Inside the document the laws of the Virginia Resolve are also being said informative, in my opinion they are being more enforced then being said.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
--Henry uses text of Virginia Resolves from Morison, he also talks about different versions that were published widely in newspaper. Other proof being used is who the writer is representing, the house of burgessess.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bacon's Rebellion - - Final Copy
-----Even before the American Revolution there was a rebellion that broke out by some very angry colonists against their government, which later got turned to the nearby Indians. “Sometime in April 1676… Bacon had got over the [James] River with his forces and hastening away into the woods, went directly and fell upon the Indians and killed some of them [which] were some of our best friends… the people [would not]understand any distinction of friendly Indians and Indian enemies” (document #13). Bacon's Rebellion was a war brought onto innocent Natives, led by a man named Nathaniel Bacon who was very angry with the way the colony was being run. The government played a very large role in why this rebellion happened. The government was tricking and using not only all the Indians, but as well as their own colonists. When it comes to the topic of Bacon's Rebellion, most of us will readily agree that the people in charge of Virginia during the seventeenth century were the cause of the rebellion. Where this agreement usually comes to a end, however, is on the question of, Did Bacon even care about why he was killing Indians, or if that particular Indian had ever done anything wrong, or did he just want to kill all Indians. Whereas some are convinced that Bacon was a good person and the government was terrible, others still maintain that Bacon was only after gold, land and killing Indians. I see it as, the government was power hungry and just wanted to use, abuse and control everyone around them.
-----During Bacon’s rebellion in 1676 the government mistreated the Indians and the colonists and benefited from both of them. The government benefited greatly from trade with the Indians. They made a law by an Act of State that no one was allowed to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Howard Zinn states in A Young People’s History of the United States, "And the whole colony, rich and poor, was being used by England" (p39). According to the Virginia settlers their government was protecting the Indians from the colonists, instead of defending the colonists. Bacon and his followers went to attack the Indians without a permit, when the government found out they were not happy. That caused them to react in a matter by trying to protect the Indians and warned them that Bacon was coming to attack. The government acted as if they were protecting the Indians one second, then the colonists the next. They built forts in the woods and told the colonists it was for their protection. The colonists knew better though, there was really no security for them. To add to their problems, the government then taxed all the people in the colony for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. “Bacon issued his 'Declaration of the People' on July 30, 1676 which stated that Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes" (Pike). The people in command ignored the colonist’s complaints about the Indians poor behavior, the Indians were killing and robbing people, and the governor still didn't take any notice. The governor didn't believe the colonist's accusations. Berkeley publicly named Bacon a traitor, and refused to sign a promised commission. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "[T]he Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9). In this letter Bacon's wife demonstrates how the Indians were misbehaving and their government didn't take control of the situation and give the Indians any consequences. The way the Virginia government was being run at this time caused a lot of unnecessary hardships for the English colonists.
-----The colonists were very mistreated by the English government during Bacon's rebellion. They had to deal with very little or lack of freedom. Indentured servants were bought and sold like slaves. Poor people signed an agreement to be slaves for five to seven years."Grantham found four hundred armed whites and blacks- freeman, servants, and slaves. He promised to pardon them and to free the servants and slaves. Instead, he turned his boat's guns on the rebels and took their weapons. Then he returned the servants and slaves to their masters" (p38 Zinn). Zinn is showing an example of just one of the ways the government went against their word and turned their backs on the colonists. The government had really high taxes put onto the colonists. There was a huge gap between the rich and poor. The rich built mansions, while the poor struggled to survive. They had unfair taxes that were way too high, and were dealing with unemployment and poverty. Colonists grew tobacco, while the king was making a huge profit. In volume one of "A Young Peoples History Zinn states, "Bacon accused the Berkeley government of wrongdoing, including unfair taxes and not protecting the western farmers from the Indians" (p39 Zinn). Laws made by the government affected the colonists in a negative way. The government was protecting the Indians. They made restrictions for the colonists dealing with their rights to vote. Changes in land laws caused farmers to homelessness. New laws passed to punish poor, imprison them and send them to America "The revolt changed little within the colony; gentlemen continued to monopolize the best land, the highest offices, and the most slaves. The Indians suffered the most. Those within the colony lost population and land" (paragraph 4 US Military History). The government causing all of these hardships for the colonists made them very upset and some colonists rebelled. This made life for the Indians unfair and unbearable.
-----The Indians were the ones who suffered the worst from the English government. They had to deal with the English intruding onto their land, and were forced to live on predestined English land. "By the late seventeenth century, many Indian groups in the British colonies had fallen into a subordinate, 'tributary status', living on assigned lands at the will and direction of the provincial governments" (p76 Puglisi). The government took everything away from the Indians including their freedom. The Indians were alienated and distrusted. They thought the government was on their side; really they were only using them to take advantage of the trade. New Virginia laws made slavery lifelong and inherited by one's children. "The colonial governments agreed among themselves that servants who escaped from one colony to another must be returned" (p42 Zinn).The worst of the horrible mistreatment towards the Indians was violence. A true narrative of the late rebellion in Virginia, said that the Indians were forced to be slaves and servants. The Government was also using few chosen Indians as their spies. Many Indians had to live in terror, of loosing their families or their own lives. The Indians who had peace treaties were even killed, as well as the Indians were who Christianized. "Beatings and whippings were common, Servant women were raped" (p42 Zinn). The Indians were stuck in the middle of a war caused by the English.
-----During the whole rebellion, up until the day Bacon died, he and Governor Berkeley had never ending war between themselves. Some people believe Berkeley was the bad guy, others believe just the opposite. Bacon helped the colonists stand up for themselves during the seventeenth century; he was only in the colony for three years and was made one of the council members. Bacon had great respect from most if not all the colonists. But unfortunately, he did kill some of the Indians who were friends to Berkeley and his people. Berkeley had Bacon arrested for disobeying the government and leading an illegal war against the Indians. "Before he had been three years in the colony, he was, for his extraordinary Qualifications, made one of the council. And in great honor and esteem among the people" (document 11). "Mr. Bacon nor any with him had injured any English man in their persons or estates, and that the country was generally well pleased with what they had done, and she believed most of the council also" (document 14). Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people. He did not do his part to protect the colonists from native attacks, fled from bacon and his followers during the war. Bacon and Berkeley fought over loyal servants and small landowners to be on their side. Berkeley hung two dozen men and took their estates who were Bacon's followers. "Berkeley's arbitrary rule and unjust taxation, his neglect of an adequate Indian defense; etc. these we humbly confess, were the greatest seducements that provoked most of us at first to take up arms but only against the... barbarous enemies the Indians" (document 35).
-----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians they had no rights to control over. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008.
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008.
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
-----During Bacon’s rebellion in 1676 the government mistreated the Indians and the colonists and benefited from both of them. The government benefited greatly from trade with the Indians. They made a law by an Act of State that no one was allowed to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Howard Zinn states in A Young People’s History of the United States, "And the whole colony, rich and poor, was being used by England" (p39). According to the Virginia settlers their government was protecting the Indians from the colonists, instead of defending the colonists. Bacon and his followers went to attack the Indians without a permit, when the government found out they were not happy. That caused them to react in a matter by trying to protect the Indians and warned them that Bacon was coming to attack. The government acted as if they were protecting the Indians one second, then the colonists the next. They built forts in the woods and told the colonists it was for their protection. The colonists knew better though, there was really no security for them. To add to their problems, the government then taxed all the people in the colony for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. “Bacon issued his 'Declaration of the People' on July 30, 1676 which stated that Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes" (Pike). The people in command ignored the colonist’s complaints about the Indians poor behavior, the Indians were killing and robbing people, and the governor still didn't take any notice. The governor didn't believe the colonist's accusations. Berkeley publicly named Bacon a traitor, and refused to sign a promised commission. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "[T]he Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9). In this letter Bacon's wife demonstrates how the Indians were misbehaving and their government didn't take control of the situation and give the Indians any consequences. The way the Virginia government was being run at this time caused a lot of unnecessary hardships for the English colonists.
-----The colonists were very mistreated by the English government during Bacon's rebellion. They had to deal with very little or lack of freedom. Indentured servants were bought and sold like slaves. Poor people signed an agreement to be slaves for five to seven years."Grantham found four hundred armed whites and blacks- freeman, servants, and slaves. He promised to pardon them and to free the servants and slaves. Instead, he turned his boat's guns on the rebels and took their weapons. Then he returned the servants and slaves to their masters" (p38 Zinn). Zinn is showing an example of just one of the ways the government went against their word and turned their backs on the colonists. The government had really high taxes put onto the colonists. There was a huge gap between the rich and poor. The rich built mansions, while the poor struggled to survive. They had unfair taxes that were way too high, and were dealing with unemployment and poverty. Colonists grew tobacco, while the king was making a huge profit. In volume one of "A Young Peoples History Zinn states, "Bacon accused the Berkeley government of wrongdoing, including unfair taxes and not protecting the western farmers from the Indians" (p39 Zinn). Laws made by the government affected the colonists in a negative way. The government was protecting the Indians. They made restrictions for the colonists dealing with their rights to vote. Changes in land laws caused farmers to homelessness. New laws passed to punish poor, imprison them and send them to America "The revolt changed little within the colony; gentlemen continued to monopolize the best land, the highest offices, and the most slaves. The Indians suffered the most. Those within the colony lost population and land" (paragraph 4 US Military History). The government causing all of these hardships for the colonists made them very upset and some colonists rebelled. This made life for the Indians unfair and unbearable.
-----The Indians were the ones who suffered the worst from the English government. They had to deal with the English intruding onto their land, and were forced to live on predestined English land. "By the late seventeenth century, many Indian groups in the British colonies had fallen into a subordinate, 'tributary status', living on assigned lands at the will and direction of the provincial governments" (p76 Puglisi). The government took everything away from the Indians including their freedom. The Indians were alienated and distrusted. They thought the government was on their side; really they were only using them to take advantage of the trade. New Virginia laws made slavery lifelong and inherited by one's children. "The colonial governments agreed among themselves that servants who escaped from one colony to another must be returned" (p42 Zinn).The worst of the horrible mistreatment towards the Indians was violence. A true narrative of the late rebellion in Virginia, said that the Indians were forced to be slaves and servants. The Government was also using few chosen Indians as their spies. Many Indians had to live in terror, of loosing their families or their own lives. The Indians who had peace treaties were even killed, as well as the Indians were who Christianized. "Beatings and whippings were common, Servant women were raped" (p42 Zinn). The Indians were stuck in the middle of a war caused by the English.
-----During the whole rebellion, up until the day Bacon died, he and Governor Berkeley had never ending war between themselves. Some people believe Berkeley was the bad guy, others believe just the opposite. Bacon helped the colonists stand up for themselves during the seventeenth century; he was only in the colony for three years and was made one of the council members. Bacon had great respect from most if not all the colonists. But unfortunately, he did kill some of the Indians who were friends to Berkeley and his people. Berkeley had Bacon arrested for disobeying the government and leading an illegal war against the Indians. "Before he had been three years in the colony, he was, for his extraordinary Qualifications, made one of the council. And in great honor and esteem among the people" (document 11). "Mr. Bacon nor any with him had injured any English man in their persons or estates, and that the country was generally well pleased with what they had done, and she believed most of the council also" (document 14). Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people. He did not do his part to protect the colonists from native attacks, fled from bacon and his followers during the war. Bacon and Berkeley fought over loyal servants and small landowners to be on their side. Berkeley hung two dozen men and took their estates who were Bacon's followers. "Berkeley's arbitrary rule and unjust taxation, his neglect of an adequate Indian defense; etc. these we humbly confess, were the greatest seducements that provoked most of us at first to take up arms but only against the... barbarous enemies the Indians" (document 35).
-----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians they had no rights to control over. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
more edits, new citations
-----Bacon's Rebellion was a war brought onto innocent Natives, led by a man named Nathaniel Bacon who was very angry with the way the colony was being run. The government played a very large role in why this rebellion happened. The government was tricking and using not only all the Indians, but as well as their own colonists. When it comes to the topic of Bacon's Rebellion, most of us will readily agree that the people in charge of Virginia during the seventeenth century were the cause of the rebellion. Where this agreement usually comes to a end, however, is on the question of, Did Bacon even care about why he was killing Indians, or if that particular Indian had ever done anything wrong, or did he just want to kill all Indians. Whereas some are convinced that Bacon was a good person and the government was terrible, others still maintain that Bacon was only after gold, land and killing Indians. I see it as, the government was power hungry and just wanted to use, abuse and control everyone around them.
-----During Bacon’s rebellion in 1676 the government mistreated the Indians and the colonists and benefited from both of them. The government benefited greatly from trade with the Indians. They made a law by an Act of State that no one was allowed to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Howard Zinn states in A Young People’s History of the United States, "And the whole colony, rich and poor, was being used by England" (p39). According to the Virginia settlers their government was protecting the Indians from the colonists, instead of defending the colonists. Bacon and his followers went to attack the Indians without a permit, when the government found out they were not happy. That caused them to react in a matter by trying to protect the Indians and warned them that Bacon was coming to attack. The government acted as if they were protecting the Indians one second, then the colonists the next. They built forts in the woods and told the colonists it was for their protection. The colonists knew better though, there was really no security for them. To add to their problems, the government then taxed all the people in the colony for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. “Bacon issued his 'Declaration of the People' on July 30, 1676 which stated that Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes" (Pike). The people in command ignored the colonist’s complaints about the Indians poor behavior, the Indians were killing and robbing people, and the governor still didn't take any notice. The governor didn't believe the colonist's accusations. Berkeley publicly named Bacon a traitor, and refused to sign a promised commission. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "[T]he Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9).
-----The colonists were very mistreated by the English government during Bacon's rebellion. They had to deal with very little or lack of freedom. Indentured servants were bought and sold like slaves. Poor people signed an agreement to be slaves for five to seven years."Grantham found four hundred armed whites and blacks- freeman, servants, and slaves. He promised to pardon them and to free the servants and slaves. Instead, he turned his boat's guns on the rebels and took their weapons. Then he returned the servants and slaves to their masters" (p38 Zinn). The government had really high taxes put onto the colonists. There was a huge gap between the rich and poor. The rich built mansions, while the poor struggled to survive. They had unfair taxes that were way too high, and were dealing with unemployment and poverty. Colonists grew tobacco, while the king was making a huge profit. "Bacon accused the Berkeley government of wrongdoing, including unfair taxes and not protecting the western farmers from the Indians" (p39 Zinn). Laws made by the government affected the colonists in a negative way. The government was protecting the Indians. They made restrictions for the colonists dealing with their rights to vote. Changes in land laws caused farmers to homelessness. New laws passed to punish poor, imprison them and send them to America.
"The revolt changed little within the colony; gentlemen continued to monopolize the best land, the highest offices, and the most slaves. The Indians suffered the most. Those within the colony lost population and land" (paragraph 4 US Military History).
-----The Indians were the ones who suffered the worst from the English government. They had to deal with the English intruding onto their land, and were forced to live on predestined English land. "By the late seventeenth century, many Indian groups in the British colonies had fallen into a subordinate, 'tributary status', living on assigned lands at the will and direction of the provincial governments" (p76 Puglisi). The government took everything away from the Indians including their freedom. The Indians were alienated and distrusted. They thought the government was on their side; really they were only using them to take advantage of the trade. New Virginia laws made slavery lifelong and inherited by one's children. "The colonial governments agreed among themselves that servants who escaped from one colony to another must be returned" (p42 Zinn).The worst of the horrible mistreatment towards the Indians was violence. A true narrative of the late rebellion in Virginia, said that the Indians were forced to be slaves and servants. The Government was also using few chosen Indians as their spies. Many Indians were lived in terror, of loosing their family or their own lives. The Indians who had peace treaties were even killed, as well as the Indians were who Christianized. "Beatings and whippings were common, Servant women were raped" (p42 Zinn).
-----During the whole rebellion, up until the day Bacon died, he and Governor Berkeley had never ending war between themselves. Some people believe Berkeley was the bad guy, others believe just the opposite. Bacon helped the colonists stand up for themselves during the seventeenth century; he was only in the colony for three years and was made one of the council members. Bacon had great respect from most if not all the colonists. But unfortunately, he did kill some of the Indians who were friends to Berkeley and his people.Berkeley had Bacon arrested for disobeying the government and leading an illegal war against the Indians. "Before he had been three years in the colony, he was, for his extraordinary Qualifications, made one of the council. And in great honor and esteem among the people" (document 11). "Mr. Bacon nor any with him had injured any English man in their persons or estates, and that the country was generally well pleased with what they had done, and she believed most of the council also" (document 14). Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people. He did not do his part to protect the colonists from native attacks, fled from bacon and his followers during the war. Bacon and Berkeley fought over loyal servants and small landowners. Berkeley hung two dozen men and took their estates who were Bacon's followers. "Berkeley's arbitrary rule and unjust taxation, his neglect of an an adequate Indian defense; etc. these we humbly confess, were the greatest seducements that provoked most of us at first to take up arms but only against the... barbarous enemies the Indians" (document 35).
-----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians they had no rights to control over. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008 .
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008 .
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
-----During Bacon’s rebellion in 1676 the government mistreated the Indians and the colonists and benefited from both of them. The government benefited greatly from trade with the Indians. They made a law by an Act of State that no one was allowed to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Howard Zinn states in A Young People’s History of the United States, "And the whole colony, rich and poor, was being used by England" (p39). According to the Virginia settlers their government was protecting the Indians from the colonists, instead of defending the colonists. Bacon and his followers went to attack the Indians without a permit, when the government found out they were not happy. That caused them to react in a matter by trying to protect the Indians and warned them that Bacon was coming to attack. The government acted as if they were protecting the Indians one second, then the colonists the next. They built forts in the woods and told the colonists it was for their protection. The colonists knew better though, there was really no security for them. To add to their problems, the government then taxed all the people in the colony for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. “Bacon issued his 'Declaration of the People' on July 30, 1676 which stated that Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes" (Pike). The people in command ignored the colonist’s complaints about the Indians poor behavior, the Indians were killing and robbing people, and the governor still didn't take any notice. The governor didn't believe the colonist's accusations. Berkeley publicly named Bacon a traitor, and refused to sign a promised commission. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "[T]he Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9).
-----The colonists were very mistreated by the English government during Bacon's rebellion. They had to deal with very little or lack of freedom. Indentured servants were bought and sold like slaves. Poor people signed an agreement to be slaves for five to seven years."Grantham found four hundred armed whites and blacks- freeman, servants, and slaves. He promised to pardon them and to free the servants and slaves. Instead, he turned his boat's guns on the rebels and took their weapons. Then he returned the servants and slaves to their masters" (p38 Zinn). The government had really high taxes put onto the colonists. There was a huge gap between the rich and poor. The rich built mansions, while the poor struggled to survive. They had unfair taxes that were way too high, and were dealing with unemployment and poverty. Colonists grew tobacco, while the king was making a huge profit. "Bacon accused the Berkeley government of wrongdoing, including unfair taxes and not protecting the western farmers from the Indians" (p39 Zinn). Laws made by the government affected the colonists in a negative way. The government was protecting the Indians. They made restrictions for the colonists dealing with their rights to vote. Changes in land laws caused farmers to homelessness. New laws passed to punish poor, imprison them and send them to America.
"The revolt changed little within the colony; gentlemen continued to monopolize the best land, the highest offices, and the most slaves. The Indians suffered the most. Those within the colony lost population and land" (paragraph 4 US Military History).
-----The Indians were the ones who suffered the worst from the English government. They had to deal with the English intruding onto their land, and were forced to live on predestined English land. "By the late seventeenth century, many Indian groups in the British colonies had fallen into a subordinate, 'tributary status', living on assigned lands at the will and direction of the provincial governments" (p76 Puglisi). The government took everything away from the Indians including their freedom. The Indians were alienated and distrusted. They thought the government was on their side; really they were only using them to take advantage of the trade. New Virginia laws made slavery lifelong and inherited by one's children. "The colonial governments agreed among themselves that servants who escaped from one colony to another must be returned" (p42 Zinn).The worst of the horrible mistreatment towards the Indians was violence. A true narrative of the late rebellion in Virginia, said that the Indians were forced to be slaves and servants. The Government was also using few chosen Indians as their spies. Many Indians were lived in terror, of loosing their family or their own lives. The Indians who had peace treaties were even killed, as well as the Indians were who Christianized. "Beatings and whippings were common, Servant women were raped" (p42 Zinn).
-----During the whole rebellion, up until the day Bacon died, he and Governor Berkeley had never ending war between themselves. Some people believe Berkeley was the bad guy, others believe just the opposite. Bacon helped the colonists stand up for themselves during the seventeenth century; he was only in the colony for three years and was made one of the council members. Bacon had great respect from most if not all the colonists. But unfortunately, he did kill some of the Indians who were friends to Berkeley and his people.Berkeley had Bacon arrested for disobeying the government and leading an illegal war against the Indians. "Before he had been three years in the colony, he was, for his extraordinary Qualifications, made one of the council. And in great honor and esteem among the people" (document 11). "Mr. Bacon nor any with him had injured any English man in their persons or estates, and that the country was generally well pleased with what they had done, and she believed most of the council also" (document 14). Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people. He did not do his part to protect the colonists from native attacks, fled from bacon and his followers during the war. Bacon and Berkeley fought over loyal servants and small landowners. Berkeley hung two dozen men and took their estates who were Bacon's followers. "Berkeley's arbitrary rule and unjust taxation, his neglect of an an adequate Indian defense; etc. these we humbly confess, were the greatest seducements that provoked most of us at first to take up arms but only against the... barbarous enemies the Indians" (document 35).
-----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians they had no rights to control over. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008 .
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008 .
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
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